Kota Kinabatangan: The land claim issue involving members of the Sungai Koyah A, Kinabatangan Phase I, II and III smallholders scheme here was resolved with the consent of the majority of them to enter into a joint venture with Syarikat Bagus Maju Berhad.
Land and Survey Department Director Datuk Osman Jamal said all the problems including doubts on the matter were resolved Monday, when most of the 400 members agreed to the joint venture.
"What the department will do after this is to issue an invitation letter to the company once we have agreed with the agreement letter related to joint venture mechanisms," he said.
"Two things important before a joint venture is formed is that the company will provide to the department a joint venture agreement and the 'cash flow' of the land," he added.
Osman said 'cash flow' is very important because it details how the land would be developed later, when it is expected to bring in profits and when the dividends would start to be given out to members as well as other opportunities.
He told reporters this after meeting with those concerned at Dewan Sri Lamag, here, Monday. Present, were Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Moktar Radin and Sukau Assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman.
He said the agreement is equally important for the discussion of how the current valuation of the land price as well as the benefits to be provided to the members.
Asked about allegations that he was not transparent in researching this problem, Osman said the department and the government does have a system of transparency.
He said everything should be there, mechanisms and legal and proper way.
"The meeting today (Monday) will allow us to meet with members of the small farmers, and they are also able to respond directly, and in this way, we find the majority of them agreed to the joint venture," he said.
Asked about the status of other land application, he said, the mechanism is needed and it is a priority in accordance with the practice of our department from time immemorial.
"If we recall, recently, the Chief Minister also explained the importance of Customary Land Rights (NCR) and we also see the government's achievements on land ownership is also clearly reflect the State Government to give priority to that respect."
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